Buildings and Spaces
Campus Buildings
Swartz Hall
Originally known as Andover Hall, Swartz Hall is the center of academic and community life at HDS. Renewed in 2021, the historic Collegiate Gothic building features classrooms, offices, gathering areas, the HDS Commons, the Preston N. Williams Chapel, and the Multifaith Space.
Divinity Hall
Built in 1826, Divinity Hall is HDS’s oldest building and the first Harvard building constructed outside Harvard Yard. Today, it houses classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and the famous Divinity Hall "Emerson" Chapel.
Rockefeller Hall
Built in 1970–71 and renovated in 2008, Rockefeller Hall provides classrooms, offices, and informal gathering spaces for the HDS community. The environmentally conscious renovation earned the building LEED Gold certification.
Center for the Study of World Religions
Designed by architect Josep Lluís Sert and completed in 1960, the Center for the Study of World Religions supports research, public programming, and the study of religious traditions around the world. The building also houses a residential community of students and scholars.
Carriage House
Located behind Jewett House, the Carriage House is home to the Women’s Studies in Religion Program. The program brings scholars to HDS each year to pursue research examining the relationship between religion, gender, and society.
Jewett House
Built in 1913 and named for Harvard professor James Richard Jewett, Jewett House has served as the residence of the HDS Dean since 1956. The historic home sits along Francis Avenue near the Center for the Study of World Religions and the Carriage House.
Key Campus Spaces
HDS Library
The Harvard Divinity School Library connects students, faculty, and researchers with extensive resources for the study of religion. Its collections, archives, research services, study areas, and collaborative spaces make it an important center of academic life at HDS.
Divinity Hall Chapel
Located on the third floor of Divinity Hall, Divinity Hall Chapel, is a historic, wood-paneled space for prayer, meditation, teaching, and community gatherings. Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his influential “Divinity School Address” in the chapel in 1838.
Williams Chapel
Located in Swartz Hall, the Preston N. Williams Chapel provides a setting for worship, reflection, and community gatherings. It hosts the School’s weekly Noon Service as well as ceremonies and events representing the multireligious life of HDS.
Multifaith Space
The Multifaith Space in Swartz Hall welcomes the HDS community for prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. Its furnishings and resources—including prayer rugs, meditation cushions, and multifaith texts—support individual and communal use.
James Room
The James Room is a flexible, technology-equipped auditorium and classroom in Swartz Hall. Accommodating audiences of up to 200, it hosts lectures, conferences, panel discussions, classes, and other major gatherings at HDS.
Braun Room
The historic Braun Room in Swartz Hall serves as a welcoming setting for meetings, receptions, performances, and community celebrations. Its distinctive windows, woodwork, and portraits connect the contemporary life of HDS with the building’s history.
HDS Commons
Located at the heart of Swartz Hall, the HDS Commons offers café service, comfortable seating, and space for meals, conversation, and informal gatherings. Its open design and fireplace make it a natural meeting place for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
HDS Campus Green
Surrounded by several of the School’s principal buildings, the HDS Campus Green provides an inviting outdoor setting for conversation, study, recreation, and community events. It serves as a natural gathering place at the center of campus.
